Hi, I am replacing my halyard with New England Ropes VPC 3/8" and wanted to have a new shackle spliced on. My boat is a Catalina 36. What is the typical load on a main sail shackle and what would you recommend. Some places I called had suggested the Wichard #1495 shackle (around $70) plus around $20 for the splice. The #1495 seems like it would not be that quick & easy to put on of off (as compared to something like the Wichard keypin # 91434 (around $60) which I am more used to but not as string as the #1495). It is a little shocking that the cost of the shackle & splice is around 60% of the cost of the line. I don't want to go cheap, but just want to ensure I am not going too far the other way. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks - Mike